Pam DeRiso Named Lawrence 'Teacher of the Year'

Pamela DeRiso, an academic support instruction teacher at Slackwood Elementary School, has been named Lawrence Township public school district's 2013 “Teacher of the Year,” the district announced Thursday afternoon. 

Having taught in Lawrence Township schools for the past 28 years, DeRiso is certified as an elementary school teacher and holds a bacehlor's degree in education from The College of New Jersey.

Each year a committee made up of district administrators, teachers, parents, and a board of education member select a teacher to represent the district in the state-sponsored “Teacher of the Year” program. 

Earning this distinction qualifies DeRiso to be considered along with teachers from other Mercer County districts as a candidate for “Mercer County Teacher of the Year.”

“Ms. DeRiso is deserving of the honor of District Teacher of the Year.  Her passion for education and her persistence in trying to reach every child continue to make a positive impact on the students at Slackwood Elementary School.  Ms. DeRiso’s influence can be seen in every classroom at our school.  We are truly proud that the district has honored Pam in this way," Slackwood Principal Jay Billy said.

District Superintendent Crystal Edwards added, “The district recently unveiled its new motto: Lead, Achieve, Succeed which is exactly what one can expect from Pam DeRiso. Whether she is working with the Slackwood student body as a whole or with a small group of students in the Destinations afterschool program, engaging her colleagues in professional learning activities, assisting families as they support their children, or providing her principal and school improvement team with valuable data analyses; Ms. DeRiso continues to put her heart and soul in her work to ensure that every child succeeds.  We are so pleased to have her represent Lawrence Township Public Schools.”

“The Lawrence Board of Education congratulates Pam DeRiso," school board President Laura Waters said. "Ms. DeRiso, in her work as an ASI Teacher at Slackwood Elementary School, exemplifies Lawrence's values: maximizing the potential of all students and inspiring them to achieve great things."

“It is an honor to represent our district in the running for Mercer County Teacher of the Year. I am only one among many dedicated and brilliant educators in Lawrence Township," DeRiso said. "Thank you for this opportunity.”